From my favorite movies..

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

The character "Jules" came out of nowhere in episode 5 of year two ("Euphro") without so much as an introduction, as if he'd been part of the "crew" already, though NOBODY was told of it. This character was irritating, noisy, nerve-wracking, bothersome, and TOTALLY unnecessary to this series. I just wonder what company bigwig he's related to who put him into this show. He KILLED this show! Sure, the loss of Carla was HUGE and Dieter too, but as long as the Transporter continued his work as before, with plenty of gorgeous women to embellish the show, it could have gone on for YEARS. But Mark Rendell RUINED every one of the five episodes he was in ... yet, on the last two episodes, his name had risen into the 3rd slot just under Chris Vance and Violante Placido. I find it incredible that all the people involved in producing a show like this did not recognize a show-killer like the Jules character. I can only think that Vance was tired of it, and Jules was installed to kill it. If so, it worked like a charm.

This series gives us more adventures featuring transporter Frank Martin; here played by Chris Vance rather than Jason Statham. Early on the stories are similar to the films as Frank transports people or items while various bad guys try to stop him. Later on transporting becomes almost secondary as he gets involved in various other capers.When I heard that Frank was going to be played by somebody other than Jason Statham I wasn't too optimistic but I was soon won over by Chris Vance; thankfully he plays the character in a very different manner so doesn't feel like a poor imitation. François Berléand is the only actor from the films to feature; he is a lot of fun as Inspector Tarconi. The rest of the main cast does a solid job; notably Charly Hübner who provides plenty of laughs as mechanic Dieter Hausmann, Andrea Osvárt who plays Frank's booking agent Carla Valeri in the first season and Violante Placido who plays her replacement Caterina "Cat" Boldieu in the second series. The stories are enjoyable although the first season is better; this is partly down to the fact that there is an ongoing storyline involving a security agent investigating Frank and partly because it was clear later on that the budget wasn't what it was; the number of scenes involving car chases drops dramatically and many of those that do remain aren't as exciting. As well as the action in cars there is plenty of fighting, shooting as well as some impressive stunts. There is also some swearing and occasional nudity which may bother some viewers. Still overall it was an enjoyable series and I was disappointed when I learnt that it is unlikely that a third season will ever be made; especially given the cliff-hanger ending to the second season.

As I had seen all Transporter films and got used to Jason Statham in the leading role, it took some to time to accept Chris Vance - in spite of his charm and abilities (most of supporting cast is not striking either). And unlike the films, the series had evident need for additional sponsorship as the role of product placements - starting from Audi's logo and ending with all connected to France/French - is unusually large.As for the script, it includes bizarre approaches and elements. Well, the events take place mostly in "decent" Western countries, it is odd to watch Frank Martin rapidly and recklessly driving on city streets, sometimes with shootings, and there is hardly any police trying to catch or stop them; fights are often for fight's sake as well and clothing of the involved remain nice and clean; most real bad guys treat the Transporter oddly in a mild manner, etc. etc.Thus, it is not a high-quality entertainment, but if you have limited time and not eager to ponder on and over all the time, then Transporter: The Series is still more than okay. Although there are casual flashbacks and references to the past, you are not obliged to watch all episodes in strict sequence or missing some of them - you will still get a picture what is going on.

The original Transporter movie is one of my favorite movies so I was excited by a series based on the movie. The writers and casting director totally missed the entire feel of the movie! It's really obvious some producers think viewers are simpletons and by some of the reviews, they are correct! The Transporter was not "James Bond", which was the major appeal of the movie but the producers are aiming at a Transporter/James Bond mix which sickens me! Where is the "broken attitude" and "tough guy arrogance" Jason portrayed in the movie? Instead we have a pathetic pom who grins all of the time. It's time producers stop trying to push 100 pound women beating up trained assassins! I am a woman and this infuriating tend of making women able to compete with men in the strength department is actually spoiling a lot of shows. I know it's just TV but magically making women, ( who always happen to be slim and "pretty"), able to win fights which are impossible, challenges the viewers intelligence! I for one don't want to see such stupidity! Anyway, back to The Transporter, the story lines are pathetic, the actors are annoying and the car chases don't save the show! How has this show been renewed and other watchable shows canceled?